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2 Assam-bound train passengers killed

By Staff reporter

GUWAHATI, Aug 19 � In a new twist to the violent episodes in Western Assam, two persons were killed after they fell, or were pushed out, of an Assam-bound train last night. While details corroborated by police and railways are yet to give a clear picture, it is now known that nine others sustained injuries after falling from the train.

Ironically, the train (Guwahati Special No 3) was carrying a large number of people who had hurriedly left Bengaluru apprehending serious threats from radical elements in the Karnataka capital. Fuelled by rumours, hundreds of people from the Northeast were leaving Bengaluru by trains bound for Guwahati.

The injured have been admitted to the North Bengal Medical College, according to NFR officials, who said that the incident happened around 9.30 pm. �The train was between Belakoba and Rani Nagar not far from New Jalpaiguri Junction when the incident happened,� said NFR CPRO Situsing Hajong.

The dead have been identified as Atiqur Rahman and Samim Islam. Among those injured the condition of four has been described as serious.

Railway sources pointed out that security has been beefed up in trains passing through Western Assam. Security personnel are on heightened alert following the unexpected incident that exposed a new danger to train passengers. �It is an unforeseen event and there is little the railways alone can do to prevent its recurrence,� said an NFR official.

It has been learnt that the NF Railway will not carry out an investigation on its own, instead the West Bengal government has ordered a CID probe. A GRP team has also been rushed to Jalpaiguri to investigate.

Passenger train traffic in Western Assam and in North Bengal has recently become vulnerable as protestors have targeted it to highlight their grievances. The vital corridor that connects the Northeast with the rest of the country was recently closed off for three days by protestors following bloodshed in Dhubri and BTC districts.

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